Corporate sustainability pioneer Ray C Anderson died in August, aged 77. Anderson founded US carpet tile firm Interface , which has earned plaudits for its attempts to put environmental integrity at the heart of its business. Interface’s progress towards sustainability began in the 1990s, when Anderson said he realised it was “an extension of the petrochemical industry” because of what went into its products. Interface subsequently reformulated its carpet tiles, and took steps to dramatically cut water usage, greenhouse gas emissions and waste. Anderson pushed other companies, such as Wal-Mart, to follow his lead, and received widespread recognition, such as in 2007 when he was named a Time magazine Hero of the Environment.